The ultimate taboo?

Having read much material on the BabyP case I have been shocked and saddened.

But I find a nagging question, are elements of this case a fit topic for satire?

Please note I haven't written anything on this subject.

I think the actual death is to painful and monsterous for it ever to be a subject for humor?

But at the same time there are distinctive issues I feel should be adressed and perhaps satire maybe a way of doing this.

1 Social workers spend 70% of time on computers instead of face to face work.
2 Tabloids alternating between incompetent social workers abandon kids and evil social workers snatch kids.

And other issues.

Again I haven't written so much of a line on this subject.

But I worry that not being able to joke on any part of this is akin to not discussing it, or atleast not as much as one could.

I'm genuinely interested in peoples thoughts on this subject.

I would say anything is fair game, if done well.

But certainly something satirical about social workers, surely!

Agreed. There should be no taboos. Ever.

I sometimes feel the "anything is fair game" argument makes comedy seem like those free runner idiots that hop over park benches. Sure, you can do it but there are far more entertaining ways to keep fit.

I'm sure there are better/funnier ways to tackle the two issues highlighted than including a tortured toddler into the gag.

You know I would go along with that, it's subjects that aren't joked about are rarely properly discussed.

Quote: sootyj @ November 18 2008, 11:36 PM GMT

You know I would go along with that, it's subjects that aren't joked about are rarely properly discussed.

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Prezunctly.

Quote: Pete @ November 18 2008, 11:36 PM GMT

I sometimes feel the "anything is fair game" argument makes comedy seem like those free runner idiots that hop over park benches. Sure, you can do it but there are far more entertaining ways to keep fit.

I'm sure there are better/funnier ways to tackle the two issues highlighted than including a tortured toddler into the gag.

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I think you can discuss other elements.

I mean the pornographic sentimentality of the tabloids is sickening.

Quote: sootyj @ November 18 2008, 11:38 PM GMT

I think you can discuss other elements.

I mean the pornographic sentimentality of the tabloids is sickening.

View original

Sure, but you can attack that without using the nature of the child's death (which is what you referred to)

I just feel there's a danger in seeing a taboo and thinking "oh, mustn't have that...I must jump over it" I also think it's quite possible to discuss an issue without jokes.... Baby P has been discussed by everyone! Having a few comics add to it won't help.

I don't think everyone should try and use a dead toddler to make a joke.

I think only about one in 100,000 people could do it and make me laugh. If that. Maybe only one in a million.

But I would want those people to do it and not be afraid.

I'm betting Frankie Boyle could do it.

On that I don't agree at all.

It's the manner in which it's discussed IS the problem.

In the blue corner the Sun.

Boo! all social workers and chav parents are evil.

In the red corner the Guardian.

Boo! all social workers are over worked saints.

Both are wrong, it's the job of the satirist to explode and break down these positions.

And that doesn't mean looking for cheap gags.

Quote: Pete @ November 18 2008, 11:43 PM GMT

Sure, but you can attack that without using the nature of the child's death (which is what you referred to)

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Those are my thoughts exactly. You can satirise the social workers, the system, the media etc without having to refer directly to this particular case. People will make the connection anyway.

But dead baby jokes have been discussed on here before, (almost)everyone liked them.

Should it really be that different just because it's a particular dead baby?

Which is what I meant and glad we agree Ian.

But if you make a sketch about overworked social workers, and abusive parents. It won't take Poirot to make the connection.

Quote: zooo @ November 18 2008, 11:51 PM GMT

But dead baby jokes have been discussed on here before, (almost)everyone liked them.

Should it really be that different just because it's a particular dead baby?

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Now that is a clever, clever point.

Plenty of people make genocide, holocaust jokes which are jokes about 100,000s of dead babies.

Quote: zooo @ November 18 2008, 11:51 PM GMT

But dead baby jokes have been discussed on here before, (almost)everyone liked them.

Should it really be that different just because it's a particular dead baby?

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I don't really understand your position. I thought you sounded against it.